21/04/2025
Rākau Wānanga coming soon, hopefully the first of many, this one is for 10 Men, taking the challenge of embracing vulnerability and creating a different Warrior mindset…
Yamabushi Dojo, a martial arts school teaching Okinawan Goju Ryu karate and kobudo (weaponry) and N
21/04/2025
Rākau Wānanga coming soon, hopefully the first of many, this one is for 10 Men, taking the challenge of embracing vulnerability and creating a different Warrior mindset…
14/09/2024
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Jr97CoLRskyEMcgQ/
How many times in life do we get to do something we are truly passionate about, with people who not only share that passion but amplify it?
For me that has been Goju Guys, I want to thank my co-founders Sensei/s David Reddaway and Josh Scanlan, who took a leap of faith a few years ago with me.
Not only are they inspirational world class Karate and Sensei in their own right but incredible human beings and I am deeply thankful to you both for all that you gave and all we learned along the way.
The illustration below was created by our incredibly talented Friend and supporter Shimiah and it was a nod to Josh Sensei and mines nerdy love of cartoons, I look on this with such great memories, we three were riding out on the range as they say. : )
To all our Friends and supporters not the least of which was our Families thank you for being there and riding in to save the day at times to numerous to mention.
To those who travelled great distances and even internationally to attend, teach and to just honour us with your support thank you, it was always less about the people at the front and more those who brought their open minds and curiosity.
To Derek English Sensei for bringing your genius to bear and your sense of fun and inquiry, thank you Brother, I hope you continue to share your knowledge be it with the Goju Guys or any other way you choose to, knowledge hard won is valued by all who encounter it.
I have come to a point where I am ready to do the scariest thing of all, my own thing, with that said I will no longer be the contact point for the Goju Guys Seminar or be organising future events.
I am creating my own projects and am so grateful to have learned what was possible from the Goju Guys experience and thank you all.
The original concept was that we created the kind of training opportunities and mentality that allowed us to grow as Martial Artist's and ultimately as humans. As well as bloody well enjoying the art at any grade or age.
That will continue to be my mission.
Remember be the change you want to see in the world, yes people will laugh and point at the thing they don't understand, but do it anyway.
The future of Goju Guys? I leave to you, do your own thing, put out what you want to receive and do what feels consistent with your common sense and values, those are the best and only Sensei you should listen to 100% of the time.
Its up to you,
see you on the Dojo floor,
Tuari
31/08/2024
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SnZ5isU1ZBPKyztY/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Final instalment this weekend!
27/08/2024
Occams Razor: Hanshi Patrick McCarthy / part 2 of 3 Cover Photo of McCarthy Hanshi used by kind permission of Mr.Chris Wilson.Part 2 of 3: We continue our conversation with Hashi McCarthy as he gives his thoug...
27/08/2024
https://www.facebook.com/share/WScrxuyF5CJPu3NC/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Occams Razor: Hanshi Patrick McCarthy / part 2 of 3 Cover Photo of McCarthy Hanshi used by kind permission of Mr.Chris Wilson.Part 2 of 3: We continue our conversation with Hashi McCarthy as he gives his thoug...
24/08/2024
https://www.facebook.com/share/zt5BQUNNT7zRZJ2F/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Part 1 of 3, a conversation not to be missed🥋🙏🏽
To watch:
https://youtu.be/H53ex2WW7jo?si=-LuipiWSNN4Ft58w
To listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DgYWciduqusvuos6k5gQ3
20/08/2024
https://www.facebook.com/share/D5FwmVbv5Gbvb3MM/
As we get older illness becomes a more serious issue, clearly serious life threatening health conditions are an issue at ANY age.
No dear Friends, today I refer of course to yours truly and my "epic struggle" with the flu and the resulting aftermath.
A gripping tale you say? tell us more you say?
Well, if you insist.
3 weeks down with the coughing, the aches, the low energy, digestion issues, low appetite, no energy, the general feeling of mild depression and the inevitable "I'm to old for this s**t" mindset.
I was on a role prior, I was finally seeing gains in strength, flexibility, my bad knee had become my "not too bad knee" I was even doing well on the carnivore diet, my cardio dial had even shifted somewhat! I felt more energy on the Dojo floor and was generally feeling pretty good about myself.
And then I was stricken with the flu, training was not really an option so I took time to really commit to the art of self pity, woo is me, nobody knows my troubles, I winned out loud and to myself.
Oh it was all very tragic.
You get the picture.
On a serious note, I think momentum is always great when its here and its easy to be swept along when it shines its light on us.
When life happens and in this case a very minor illness its easy to wonder where do I start? How do I start again? Is it even worth it?
I write this to you from my little Dojo after my 1st real session back, and to be honest, there's work to be done (as there always will be) and if I'm honest I did better than I expected, and I feel that nice calm feeling one gets after "putting in time."
And the self pity recedes enough to realise I have some very 1st world issues and NOTHING to moan about.
I also reflect on pictures like this, I believe this is a picture of Kina Shosei Sensei in his later years looking rather formidable with his Sai.
I reflect that he and the people of Okinawa went through the near destruction of their beautiful Island home, their culture and the deaths of untold men, women and children. Extreme levels of poverty and depravation and cultural wounds that no doubt still abide today.
All of that and still I get to practice an art these people kept alive, in a warm dojo, with great people and wonderful Friends and Mentors, no world wars for me.
When I see this picture and visit the peace museum and for a moment get a sense of the history that encompasses these wonderful arts? I feel very lucky and more than a little privileged.
So, I will try to keep that image in my mind, not just an image of a venerable Sensei practicing his art, an example of resilience and humility and of why the Okinawa culture is so very special, and likewise why I love practicing Karate, and will continue to try to do it some justice.
And THATS what helps me to start again.
Uminchu lessons,
INVISEN
26/05/2024
https://www.facebook.com/share/gr4Jp2GCmdosgzJM/?mibextid=WC7FNe
KIZUNA/ Karate/ Bojitsu & Dojo Bar international Wellington New Zealand #martialarts #dojo #karate https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024James Pankiewicz Sensei is coming all the way from Okinawa to New Zealand this October a wonderful look at Tomari, Karate, Bojits...
16/05/2024
An inspiring Karateka, an inspiring story, an inspiring man🥋✊🏾
14/05/2024
For the full audio conversation click on:
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/NemChHDgAJb
to watch, with a little bonus weapon work:
https://youtu.be/31yv-qJapbs?si=oZZtFPRBppZ_RRNu
James Pankiewicz Kizuna Karate Seminar, Wellington, New Zealand October 2024 James Pankiewicz Sensei is bringing his unique approach to Karate and Bojitsu to Wellington, New Zealand, 5th-6th October, 2 day seminar, everyone welcome!Fo...